Method and apparatus for sounding selective rhythms and beats



Nov. 15, 1932. w. o. MIESSNER 1,887,357

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOUNDING SELECTIVE RHYTHMS AND BEATS Filed Nov. 16, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WILLIE/7 Nov. 15, 1932. w. o. MIESSNER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOUNDING SELECTIVE RHYTHMS AND BEATS Filed Nov. 16, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 T N? M a E N 0 W 0 H M L w Nov. 15, 1932. w. 0. WESSNER 1,88 ,8 1

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOUNDING SELECTIVE RHYTHMS AND BEATS Filed Nov. 16, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR:

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Nov. 15, 1932. w. o. MIESSNER 1,887,857

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SOUNDING SELECTIVE RHYTHMS AND BEATS Filed Nov. 16, 1931 4 sheets Snee't 4 INVENTOR: Mum/7 arm mas/Y5K W TORNEY.

Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM OTTOMIESSNER, OF DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS Application filed November 16, 1931.

This invention relates to improved means and methods for sounding selective rhythms and beats. In my United States Patent N umber 1,790,278, issued January 27, 1931, I dis closed and claimed a. selective rhythm soundor, and pointed out the usefulness of such a device to both students and expert musicians in the study and practice of music. The present invention embraces a rhythm sounder of a design improved over that disclosed in the abovementioned patent, and embraces means and methods for performing additional useful functions ancillary to the rhythm sounding. L5 Thus the general object of my invention is to provide means and methods for sounding any desired rhythm appearing in a musical composition. Objects allied thereto are the provision of a rhythm sounder whereby a given rhythm will be repeatedly sounded without resetting of the device; the provision of a. rhythm sound-er employing a permanent, removable record of each rhythm to be sounded; and the provision of a suitable form of such record, method of making the same for any particular rhythm, and devices for the facilitation of such making.

It will be understood that the term rhythm sounding herein is employed to denote the production of successive momentary sounds, at intervals corresponding to the intervals between the beginnings of successive notes in one or more measures of music, or in the melody thereof. Such rhythm sounding is therefore to be distinguished from the sounding of the fundamental beats of a measure or successive measures of music. The term fundamental beats herein is employed to denote successive, evenly spaced counts coinciding with the beginning of each measure or with the beginning of an integral fractional part of each measure. Thus for example in each measure of 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4 time there may be respectively 2, 3 or 4 beats, in each case occurring regularly at quarter-note intervals; in each measure of 3/ 8 or 6/8 time there may be respectively 1 or 2 beats, in either case occurring at dotted quarter-note intervals; etc.

I have found that very useful results may Serial No. 575,216.

be obtained by the joint sounding of the rhythm and the fundamental beats of a measure or successive measures of music, in proper time relation to each other. By this joint sounding the relationship of the rhythm to the beats is identified and made audible to the listener, materially helping to fix in his mind the rhythm itself, its accents, etc. Accordingly it is a further object of my invention to provide means and methods for audibly identifying the relationship of the rhythm to the fundamental beats of a measure or measures of music. It is a further object to provide means and methods for simultaneously sounding such a rhythm and series of fundamental beats, in proper time relationship to each other; and an allied object is the provision of means and methods for selectively sounding such rhythm or such series of beats or both simultaneously at will.

A further object of my invention is the provision of methods and apparatus for indicating the relationship to a main rhythm being sounded of a secondary rhythm of notes to be played with the notes of the main rhythm. Other and allied objects will more fully appear from the following description and the appended claims.

In the detailed description of my invention, hereinafter set forth, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a combined plan and diagrammatic view of a simple embodiment of my invention, broken so that one portion shows a record in place thereon and the other portion certain interior construction;

Figure 2 is a combined cross-section and diagrammatic view of the same apparatus, the cross-section being taken along the line AA of Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates the record which I emp y;

Figure 4; is a fragmentary plan view of an alternative embodiment of my invention;

Figure 5 is a combined cross-sectional and diagrammatic view of the apparatus of Figure 4, the cross section being taken along the line of BB of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a group of keys adapted to be made of celluloid or other transparent maiii there will be seen box 21, with a removable wooden or other electrically insulating top 22. Above and affixed to top 22 may be provided electrically conductive plate 23. On plate 23 may rest perforated record 24, of insulating material and of a design hereinafter more particularly described; pins 25 may retain the record in proper position horizontally. Carried by arm 26 may be provided contact spring 27, having on its bottom and near its extremity a small rounded point or tip which wlll bear against record 24. Arm 26 may be mounded to shaft 28 in a manner preserving ready removability for facilitating the changing of records 24; thus it may be secured to the shaft by wing screw 29, which may engage a hole in the shaft to insure invariably similar placement of the arm on the latter. Shaft 28 may be rotated by motor 89 and a gear assembly, the latter diagrammatically shown as gear box 30. Electrically in series with the motor supply leads may be provided rheostat 31 for speed regulation, and switch 32 for making and breaking the supply circuit.

Shaft 28 is not electrically in contact with plate 23, but may pass through on oversize hole 81 therein and in top 22. Between shaft 28 and plate 23 is connected a series circuit 38 comprisingbattery 33, make-and-break switch 34 and buzzer or other sounder 35. One end of this circuit may be connected to the plate 23 as by screw 58. The other end may be connected to the shaft through the medium of the motor frame if desired. In order, however, to permit the circuit 38 to be wired entirely to the top 22 and parts affixed thereto, and thus to facilitate removal of this portion of the apparatus when desired, I have shown the connection of circuit 38 to shaft 28 through the medium of conductive member 32 attached to the bottom of t0p'22. Between this member and 36 afiixed to shaft 28 may be provided starshaped spring 37; and through this spring and gear 36 contact of conductive member 32 to shaft 28is completed.

The portion of the apparatus thus far described functions as a rhythm sounder; and it depends for its operation on proper perforation of the record 24 in the circular path of travel of the tip of contact 27 thereover. As hereinafter more particularly described, the record 24 is perforated in such path at distance intervals corresponding to the time intervals of the desired rhythm. Thus as the tip of contact 27 is rotated by motor 89, at a speed established by adjustment of rheostat 31, momentary contact between shaft 28 and plate 23 is effected each time the tip of contact 27 passes over a perforation in the record. Assuming switch 34 to be closed, each such momentary Contact momentarily completes the circuit of battery 33 through sounder or buzzer 35; thus the latter emits momentary sounds at the time intervals of the desired rhythm.

In Figure 3 I show a suitable form of record 24. The record may be divided as by radial lines 62 into a number of equal segments, twelve for example. In the circular path traversed by the tip of contact 27 when. record 24 is in position as above described,

there may be provided a series of evenly spaced markings, such as circles 60. I prefer to employ twelve such markings per segment, as shown, or a greater number which is at least an integral multiple of six and preferably of twelve. Thus twenty-four markings per segment would be convenient if measures of music containing thirty-second notes in. 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4 time were frequently to berhythmed. The markings or circles 60 in each segment may be consecutively numbered, beginning as 1 with the marking in alignment with each radial line 62. The segments may likewise be consecutively numbered.

In the perforation of the record for the rhythm of any particular measures of music, I prefer to let each segment represent a beat e. g., a quarter note in 2/4, 3/4 or 4/4 time or a dotted quarter-note (three eighth-notes) in 3/8 or 6/8 time. I divide the first beat of the music to be rhythmed into as many imaginary, equally spaced and consecutively numbered moments as there are markings per segment, and perforate the first segment of the record at those markings which bear numbers corresponding to those of such imaginary moments at which the notes in that beat would be played. Thus for example, if a quarternote equals a beat, and the first beat of the music to be rhythmed comprises two consecutive eighth-n otes, these notes would be played coincidentally w ith the first and seventh of twelve such imaginary moment-s comprised within the beat; and I would perforate arecord containing twelve markings per segment at the circles 1 and 7 of the first segment. I

then similarly divide the second heat of the than the number of segments, so that a rest in the sounding of the rhythm, equivalent to say two or four beats, may precede each repetition of the recorded rhythm.

In the foregoing paragraph I have outlined more or less theoretically the manner of determinining the perforation of the record. I have, however, provided a simplified alternative method of determining the proper points of perforation, in the form of groups of keys, illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. Each key may be in the form of a flat piece of celluloid or other transparent material, of the fan shape shown, upon which may be printed a group of twelve circles 60 corresponding in size, spacing and arrangement to the circles 60 of each segment on record 24. Two lines 62 corresponding to those on record 24 may also be printed on the key; as well as the note, group of notes, or group of notes and rests, in each case equivalent to a beat, which the particular key is to represent. Those of the circles 60 which are to be perforated in the record for the sounding of the rhythm of the notes printed on the key, are perforated in the key, forming holes therein.

Thus in Figure 6 I show a group of sixteen keys, 101 to 116, for different combination of notes and rests, in each case totalling a quarter-note. The circles 60 which are drawn in heavy ink are intended to designate .perforationsthe others printed circles. Similarly in Figure 7 I show agroup of twenty keys 117 to 136, for different combinations of notes and rests, in each case totalling a dotted quarter-note or three eighth-notes. To begin the preparation of a record for the rhythm of a. particular passage of music it is merely necessary to select the key corresponding to the notes of the first beat of the passage, lay it upon the record 24 so that the holes 60 and lines 62 coincide with those of the first se ment of the record, and perforate the record underneath the perforai tions of the key. To continue such preparation, a key corresponding to the notes of the second beat of the passage is selected, laid upon the record so that its holes 60 coincide with those of the second segment of the record, and the record again perforated underneath the perforations of this key; and so on. Thus the record in Figure 3 is shown by heavy inking of certain circles 60 to be perforated for the sounding of the rhythm of the first two measures of the march from Verdis opera Aida, by the use of key 101 for each of the first three segments, 103 for the fourth, 106 for the fifth and sixth and 101 for the seventh and eighth. The sequence of the notes and rests for which the record has been perforated may, if desired, be indicated on the face of the record, as on the cleffs 77 in Figure 3.

It will be understood, of course, that the rhythm sounder will ordinarily be employed to sound only when a note is to be begun, or struck, in the execution of a passage. Therefore the notes of a musically tied group following the first are the same, from the pointvof view of rhythm sounding, as rests.

It will be further understood that when notes in a passage of music extend over the beginning of one or more beats, they may be resolved into two or more tied notes of which all but the first may be considered as rests. It is appreciated that the groups of keys shown may be expanded to cover combinations of notes and rests not shown; but keys for these may be prepared by anyone skilled in the art of music reading with the aid of the principles herein set forth. It is further to be observed that the groups of keys which comprise Figures 6 and 7 may of course be employed if desired as a chart, rather than individual keys, for guidance in the proper punching of circles 60 of the records.

In considering the apparatus for the sounding of beats, reference may again be had to Figures 1 and 2. Gear 36, affixed to shaft 28 and hereinabove referred to, may be provided with a number of teeth corresponding to the number of segments-e. g., twelveinto which the face of record 24 has been divided. Pivoted as at 40 to inverted channel mounting 39 may be provided arm 41. This arm may carry at one end striker 42; and spring 43 may normally pull striker 42 toward a resonator, which may conveniently be the side of box 21. The other end of arm 41 may engage gear 36 in such manner that, as shaft 28 rotates in its normal direction (e. g., clockwise as shown), the side of any tooth of gear 36 will cause arm 41 to move about its pivot and pull striker 42 away from the resonator. The teeth of gear 36 may be so shaped, however, that for an instant when the point of any tooth passes out of engagement with arm 41 the latter will be entirely free of any engagement with the gear. Thus spring 43 will then cause arm 41 to move suddenly about its pivot and striker 42 to strike the resonator, producing a momentary click. It is important that the gear 36 be so affixed to the shaft that, with arm 26 properly secured in its single normal position on the shaft as abovementioned, the striker 42 will strike the resonator at the instant the tip of contact 27 passes over he first marking or circle in a segment on the record. Since there are as many gear teeth as record segments, and each are respectively uniformly spaced, a click will be produced at the beginning of each beat.

An alternative embodiment of my invention in respect of the beat sounding apparatus is shown in Figures 4 and 5. These fractional views are intended to illustrate apparatus similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, excepting that arm 41 may be omitted, the-plate 2?) split as by a circular cut into a disc 23-A and outer plate 23-13 insulated from each other, a second contact spring 27A provided on arm 26, and a second electrical circuit e3 added. Thiscircuit may be connected from the shaft 28 to the disc 23-21, and may include battery 33 in common withcircuitSS heretofore described, which is connected from shaft 28 to outer plate in addition to the battery 33, circuit ll-3 may include makeand-break switch 44 and sounder 45, preferably producing a click or other noise or sound distinct from that produced by sounder or buzzer 35. Thus sounder 45 may be a ticker comprising electro-magnet 46, armature 4C7, screw 48 against which armature l? clicks when electromagnet do is energized, and ar mature back-stop 49, the latter preferably provided with rubber contact 50 for the minimization of any secondary click upon de-energization of the eiectromagnet.

It will be seen that if the electromagnet L6 be energized at the beg ng of eacubeat of the rhythmed music, clicirs at those instants will be produced and the beats thus sounded.

This energization is accomplished those instants by then momentarily connecting shaft 28 to disc 23A through the medium of spring contact 27A and perforations in record 24 in the circular thereover of the tip of contact 27A. These perforations l have indicated as holes Si in Figure 3, it being understood that they need not be provided in records adapted for use with the embodiment of r invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. It is important in this embodiment that the tips of the two spring con tacts '27 and 27A be in radial alignment with the center of shaft I By the provision of so ""ch as in addition to switch 34 I. have made possible to sound either the rhythm or the beats or both, according as either one or both of the switches as closed. In the opera tion of either the illustrated embodiments of my invention, 1 have found it useful to permit arm 26 to make a revolution or two with the rhythm-sounder stilled by opening of switch 341, i with the boat sounding a 'iparatus operation, thus instilling the beats mind of the listener; then, just 27 passes over the in the first segment record, to close switch 3 whereafter both beats and rhythm will be sounded.

It is also possible h the embodiment of Figures l and 5 to identify the relationship of a secondary rhythm to the main rhythm. Thus instead of a i'iecessarily even spacing of holes 61, a spacing thereof according with the moments of beginning of the notes of such secondary rhythm may be employed. In this case it is merely necessary to perforate the record in the circular path of holes 61, at

i T in. icon-cloned employed ioi points in radial alignment with those circles 60 which represent moments of time in the primary rhythm with which note beginnings in the secondary rhythm are coincident.

1 have found the operation of records 24 on which thernarlrings and lines have been photographically registerede. g, photostated-to be particularly satisfactory. It would appear that the presence of a residual emulsion on the records makes a smoother surface for the travel of the tip of contact 27 (and 27A) and any occasional necessity for cleaning the tip of the contact and the plate 23 (and ring 23-A and outer-plate 23l3), probably the result of slight deposits on the contact tip and thence on the pl to created by the use of ordinary pap-er and/or ink, is thereby obviated.

A variety of modifications of the methods and apparatus above disclosed may of course be made. By way of simple examples, the contact spring or springs may be maintained stationary and the record as rotated, other sources of motive and electric energy substituted respectively for those shown,a form of record a of contact p 1 other than circular provided, or othe' than those the records and/or keys. These and other modificationswhich may be made by those skilled in the art will not necessarily constitute departures from the spirit or scope of my invention as hereinsed and in the appended claims I claim:

1. In a selective rhythm sounder, the combination of two electrically conductive members; insulating member remcvably insorted between said conductive members, said insulating member being perforated in a path thereon at distance intervals corresponding to the time intervals between the beginsponding to the time intervals between the be innings of the notes in a rhythm to be sounded; means for continuously moving at least oneand less than all of said three members, whereby said conductive members are causedintermittently to contact with each other through said perforations; ano. a series circuit between said conductive members,

said circuit including a source of electrical energy and asounder operative upon the closmg of said circuit.

3. A selective rhythm sounder including, in combination, two electrically conductive members; an insulating member removably inserted between said conductive members, said insulating member being perforated in a path thereon at distance intervals corresponding to the time intervals between the beginnings of the notes in a rhythm to be sounded; means for continuously moving at least one and less than all of said three members, whereby said conductive members are caused intermittently to contact with each other through said perforations; a series circuit between said conductive members. said circuit including a source of electrical energy and a sounder operative upon the closing of said circuit; and means, co-acting with said moving means, for sounding beats at regular intervals to accompany said rhythm.

4. In a selective rhythm sounder, the combination of an electrically conductive surface; a spring contact adapted to bear again st said surface; means for continuously moving said contact in a path over said surface; and means removably inserted between said contact and said surface for intermittently insulating said contact from said surface, whereby said contact is caused to touch said surface only at intervals corresponding to the intervals between the beginnings of the notes of a rhythm to be sounded.

5. A selective rhythm sounder including, in combination, an electrically conductive surface; a spring contact adapted to bear against said surface; means for continuously moving said contact in a path over said surface; means removably inserted between said contact and said surface for intermittently insulating said contact from said surface, whereby said contact is caused to touch said surface only at intervals corresponding to the intervals between the beginnings of the notes of a rhythm to be sounded; and a series circuit between said contact and said surface, said circuit including a source of electrical energy and a sounder operative upon the closing of said circuit.

6. A selective rhythm sounder including, in combination, an electrically conductive surface, a spring contact adapted to bear against said surface; means for continuously moving said contact in a path over said surface; means removably inserted between said contact and said surface for intermittently insulating said contact from said surface, whereby said contact is caused to touch said surface only at intervals corresponding to the intervals between the beginnings of the notes of a rhythm to be sounded; a series circuit between said contact and said surface, said circuit including a source of electrical energy and a sounder operative upon the closing of said circuit; and means, co-acting with said moving means, for sounding beats touch its respective said surface only at intervals corresponding to the beginnings of the notes of a rhythm to be sounded, and the other of said contacts to touch its respective said surface only at intervals musically related to said first-mentioned intervals.

8. A selective rhythm sounder including, in combination, two electrically conductive surfaces insulated from each other; two spring contacts, each adapted to bear against a respective said surface; means for continuously and synchronously moving said contacts over said surfaces; a single means removably inserted between said contacts and said surfaces for intermittently insulating each of said contacts from its respective said surface, whereby one of said contacts is caused to touch its respective said surface only at intervals corresponding to the beginnings of the notes of a rhythm to be sounded, and the other of said contacts to touch its respectivesaid surface only at intervals musically-related to said first-mentioned intervals; a series circuit between each of said springs and its respective said surface, each said circuit including a sounder operative upon the closing of said circuit; and electrical means for energizing said circuits.

9. In a selective rhythm sounder operable by rotation of a member therein, the combination of a toothed gear carried by such member; a pivoted arm; resilient means for engaging said arm with the teeth of said gear; a striker carried by said arm; and a resonator arranged to be struck by said striker upon the engagement of said arm with each successive said tooth.

10. The combination of a sounder; movable means for operating said sounder at intervals corresponding to those of the rhythm of a musical passage; a second sounder; and means, co-acting with said movable means, for operating said second sounder at regular intervals corresponding to the beats of said musical passage.

11. The combination of a sounder; movable means for operating said sounder at intervals corresponding to those of the rhythm of a musical passage; a second sounder; means, co-acting with said movable means, for operating said second sounder at re ular intervals corresponding to the beats of sald musical passage; and selective means for silencing said first sounder. I

12. The combination of a sounder; movable means for operating said sounder at intervals corresponding to those of the rhythm of a musical passage; a second sounder; means, co-acting with said movable means, for operating said second sounder at regular intervals corresponding to the beats of said musical passage; and selective means for silencing either sounder. r

13. A record for a selective rhythm sounder of the class described, comprising a sheet ofinsulating material perforated in a path thereon at distance intervals corresponding to the time intervals between the beginnings of the notes in a rhythm to be sounded.

14. A record for a selective rhythm sounder of the class described, comprising a sheet of insulating material perforated in a path thereon at distance intervals corresponding to thetime intervals between the beginnings of the notes in a rhythm to be sounded; and perforated in a second path thereon at regular intervals. i

15. A record for a selective rhythm sounder of the class described, comprising a sheet of insulating material, bearing an endless row of evenly spaced markings, and being adapt ed to be selectively perforated at any of said markings in accordance with a rhythm to be sounded.

16. A record for a selective rhythm sounder of the class described, comprising a sheet of insulating material bearing an. endless row of evenly spaced markings identified in a consecutive series of similar groups each containing a number of such markings which is an integral multiple of siX, and being adapted to be selectively perforated at any of said markings in accordance with a rhythm to be sounded.

17. A record for a selective rhythm sounder of the class described, comprising a sheet of insulating material bearing an endless row ofevenly spaced markings and being adaptedto be selectively perforated at any of said markings in accordance with a rhythm to vbe sounded; and bearing a second endless row of evenly spaced markings, and being adapted to be selectively perforated at any of said last-mentioned markings.

v 18. A key for facilitating the proper perforation for a particular rhythm of a portion of a rhythm record as claimed in claim 15, said key comprising a piece of transparent material, bearing a designation of such rhythm and a group of markings similar to each group of said record, and being perforated at certain of said markings in accordance with said rhythm.

19. The combination of a sounder; movable means for operating said sounder at intervals corresponding to those of the rhythm of a musical passage; a second; sounder; and means, co-acting with said movable means, for operating said second sounder at intervals musically related tosaid first mentioned intervals. V 4

20., The combination of a sounder; movable means for operating said sounder at intervals corresponding to those of the main rhythm of a musical passage; a second sounder; and means, co-acting with said movable means, for operating said second sounder atintervals corresponding to those of a secondary rhythm of said passage.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of means for sounding a series of momentary signals in accordance with the moments of beginning of the notes of a passage of music, and means co-acting therewith for sounding another series of momentary signals in accordance with the fundamental beats of said passage.- 7

22. In a device of the class described, the combination of means for sounding a series of momentary signals in accordance with the main rhythm of a passage of music, and means co-acting therewith for sounding another series of momentary signals in accordance with a secondary rhythm of said passage.

WVIILLIAM OTTO MIESSNER. 

